Now her Portland-area family, friends and colleagues can gather together and celebrate her life with a potluck, photos and remembrances Saturday, Sept. 14, 4:30 to 8 p.m., at the Multnomah Arts Center, 7688 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland.

The event promises to be as warm, fun-filled and lively as Ahmed-Shafi herself was.

Doors open at 4 p.m., with a community potluck from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and memorial service from 6 to 8 p.m.

"She was an amazing person and is missed by all her co-workers at the Office of Neighborhood Involvement and the many other members of the ONI family and Portland community who worked with her to further equity, social justice, and public involvement in the City of Portland," said her boss, Brian Hoops at the City of Portland. "We hope you'll join us at the celebration of life."

Ahmed-Shafi was Public Involvement Best Practices Coordinator at the City of Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement, and leaves behind a huge community of friends, colleagues and associates.

Sharing remembrances: Over 150 people are expected at the memorial and to make sure everyone one who wants to speak, organizers are asking those who wish to contact them before hand so they can make an agenda. Contact Nickole or Tenzin: Nickole.Cheron@portlandoregon.gov or tenzinchoephel@hotmail.com

Because she used "Sticky Walls" in her group process, Ahmed-Shafi's friends are asking participants to honor her on sticky walls to be set up around the hall so people can share thoughts, pictures, and art "in remembrance of our beautiful friend."

Many have asked where they can send donation in remembrance of Ahmed-Shafi. Her family suggested donations could be made in her name to the Center for Multicultural Organizing, 700 N Killingsworth St Portland, OR 97217, 503-287-4117; www.interculturalorganizing.org.

Ahmed-Shafi's parents are immigrants to this country and they felt a particular affinity to the organization. Likewise Ahmed-Shafi was on the board of CIO and was close to many of the people who work there.

There are plans to create a Muslim Women's Scholarship fund in her name. If you would prefer to make donations to this or want to be involved in the creation please contact nickole.cheron@portlandoregon.gov and she will forward your information to the folks planning it.

Ahmed-Shafi was also affiliated with several other Portland organizations committed to social justice and self-empowerment and valued the work they do.